Naomi Watts to Train Animal

Naomi Watts will topline First Look Pictures’ adaptation of Amy Sutherland’s “Kicked, Bitten and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World’s Premiere School for Exotic Animal Trainers.”

Variety says Kristin Hahn and Dana Adam Shapiro will produce the project, developed as a romantic comedy; Todd Louiso and Jacob Koskoff are writing the script. David Rubin is in negotiations to produce.

Sutherland’s book focuses on the year she spent with students at the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at Moorpark College, where students learn how to communicate with animals such as camels, emus, baboons, cougars, wolves and snakes. Alumni hold posts at the world’s top zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries or become trainers who work in television and film.